daughter

noun
daugh·​ter | \ ˈdȯ-tər How to pronounce daughter (audio) , ˈdä-\

Definition of daughter

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 anthropology

a : a female offspring especially of human parents
b : a female adopted child
c : a human female descendant
2 : something considered as a daughter the United States is a daughter of Great Britain
3 chemistry : an atomic species (see species entry 1 sense 1e) that is the product of the radioactive decay (see decay entry 2 sense 6a) of a given element radon, the daughter of radium

daughter

adjective

Definition of daughter (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : having the characteristics or relationship of a daughter (see daughter entry 1 sense 1)
2 biology : belonging to the first generation of offspring, organelles, or molecules produced by reproduction, division, or replication a daughter cell daughter DNA molecules

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Other Words from daughter

Noun

daughterless \ ˈdȯ-​tər-​ləs How to pronounce daughterless (audio) , ˈdä-​ \ adjective

Examples of daughter in a Sentence

Noun

We have a daughter and two sons.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

And that affects America's sons and daughters who are now in uniform with a spouse, with kids. Jeannette Hinkle, azcentral, "U.S. Army pushes to boost recruiting in Phoenix amid its enlistment crisis," 26 Aug. 2019 Sydney, Whitaker’s daughter, goes to Dater Montessori. Max Londberg, Cincinnati.com, "'I thought my kid was dead.' Late buses, unanswered calls leave parents panicking," 26 Aug. 2019 The mother-daughter relationship is very close, all the more so because Elgie’s work involves long hours and frequent travel. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” Reviewed: Richard Linklater’s Narrow View of a Creator in Crisis," 26 Aug. 2019 She will be deeply missed by her caring children, daughters Beth A. Willadsen and her husband Michael of South Windsor, CT, and Susan Severyn and her husband Robert of Ludlow MA; son Gary and wife, Roxanne of Avon, CT. courant.com, "Elizabeth A. Pomeroy," 25 Aug. 2019 For the Canadian mother-and-daughters trio behind outerwear brand Therma Kōta, inspiration can come gurgling out of a geothermal geyser in Iceland. Fortune, "Canadian Brand Therma Kōta Is on a Mission to Make Outerwear Cool," 25 Aug. 2019 Yankees pitcher Luis Severino, 25, said his family’s cook in New York is Alvino’s daughter-in-law. James Wagner, New York Times, "Abuela, Chef, Boss: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Grandmother Feeds the Majors," 25 Aug. 2019 As Santa's daughter, Nicole is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun. Sharareh Drury, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Noelle' Trailer Reveals Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader as Santa's Adult Children," 24 Aug. 2019 The mother and daughter also stood arm and arm smiling at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Square of Miracles just four days prior to that. Fox News, "Georgia mom gushed about her children days before suspected murder-suicide," 24 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'daughter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of daughter

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for daughter

Noun and Adjective

Middle English, doughter, from Old English dohtor; akin to Old High German tohter daughter, Greek thygatēr

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More Definitions for daughter

daughter

noun

English Language Learners Definition of daughter

: a female child

daughter

noun
daugh·​ter | \ ˈdȯ-tər How to pronounce daughter (audio) \

Kids Definition of daughter

1 : a female child or offspring
2 : a woman or girl associated with or thought of as a child of something (as a country, race, or religion) The book tells the stories of two daughters of Africa.

daughter

noun
daugh·​ter | \ ˈdȯt-ər How to pronounce daughter (audio) \

Medical Definition of daughter

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a human female having the relation of child to a parent
b : a female offspring of an animal
2 : an atomic species that is the product of the radioactive decay of a given element radon is the daughter of radium

daughter

adjective

Medical Definition of daughter (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : having the characteristics or relationship of a daughter
2 : belonging to the first generation of offspring, organelles, or molecules produced by reproduction, division, or replication a daughter cell daughter chromosomes

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